Something that I would recommend is two-fold: adjusting the tutorial and adding some sort of shooting/driving range.
Right now, the issue is that the concept of the tutorial is a good start, focusing on the basic commands and the "how-to" for flying. However, that is the extent that I recall. I think something that would help increase the skill/knowledge base is to expand the tutorial, to include utilizing the different weapon systems, ie, lasers and missiles, setting mines, and advanced combat flying. I think this will allow people to get a better basic understanding on both flying offensively and defensively, along with working the weapon systems.
I think adding in a shooting/driving range would help build the confidence of players, such as having an offensive course at different levels (such as target acquisition with target either flying defensively, non-defensively, and counter-attacking) and a defensive course (ie, try not to die for various periods). I think a good incentive for this would be either unlock ALL level 1 upgrades based on the type of ship (weapons, movement, defense based on the range utilized and difficulty), unlock ALL level 1 upgrades for that specific ship (thus, requiring the players to utilize the range more for more ships and thus, more training/practice). Utilizing this system and some variation of the recommended incentives would encourage players to use the assets available, increase skill/knowledge base of the ship and its capabilities, increase confidence in said assets, increase competitiveness in the matches, and allow players to not be forced to go face-first against veteran players with no upgrades or hope for survival.